Zakaat

Another possibly five days to the holiest month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar – the month of Ramadaan.

Muslims over the world would fast during the day and establish more prayers at night, while continuing to work their normal office routine as required.

This is also the month when most of us will pay our Zakaat. Very badly translated as wealth tax in most definitions, Zakaat is the amount that believers who have a certain amount of wealth give as charity to their less fortunate Muslim brothers and sisters.

Paying of Zakaat is one of the five principles of Islam.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle

2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly

3. To pay Zakaat (i.e. obligatory charity)

4. To perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah)

5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan

(Bukhari: Book 1, Volume 2, Hadith 7)

There are numerous references to charity in the Qur’an. Just to mention two-

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. (Qur’an 2:177; Translation by Yusuf Ali)

O ye who believe! Give of the good things which ye have (honourably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad, in order that out of it ye may give away something, when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of all wants, and worthy of all praise. (Qur’an 2:267; Translation by Yusuf Ali)

Very simply calculated in today’s times for urban areas, a Muslim who has combined liquid wealth (cash, gold, silver etc), equal to or more than 85 grams (~ 8.5 tola) of gold or 595 grams of silver for more than one lunar year has to give Zakaat equal to a minimum of 2.5% on his total liquid wealth. The more the person gives, obviously, the better.

(There are other calculations of Zakaat on agricultural produce, mined wealth, animals etc. but they are not relevant for the purposes of this blog)

So, why do we pay Zakaat?

The word Zakaat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. (Source: http://www.islamicity.com). The Qur’an has references to both these meanings when referring to payment of charity by Muslims.

Of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: And Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth. (Qur’an 9:103; Translation by Yusuf Ali)

The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things. (Qur’an 2:261; Translation by Yusuf Ali)

Isn’t it interesting? Give, so that you may receive. Give, so that you may be purified.

And I love the analogy of the pruning of the plants. We prune the top of the plants, and what grows is stronger and healthier.

Add to that the unexplainable joy of giving, seeing the smile on the face of the receiver, enjoying Eid with someone who otherwise may not have been able to enjoy it as much; and you would realise why Zakaat is such an important part of our belief.